Wanting to test the room service protocol I hoisted a yellow flag. Twenty minutes later a mini moke arrived and there was my perfectly made gin and tonic, just in time for me to enjoy the sun setting over the Caribbean from my little piece of paradise. A place I had wanted to visit ever since Judith Chalmers asked “Wish you were here?” I answered “yes” and 35 years later I was!
Petit St Vincent (or PSV as it’s fondly referred to) is a private-island; a dot of green in the Grenadines encircled by white sand and turquoise seas.
I had flown into Barbados (there are direct flights from Manchester with Virgin a few times a week), before boarding a six seater plane for the 50 minute flight to Union Island and then finally a 20 minute speed boat ride. Moments after disembarking a rather delicious coconut and (heavily laced) rum cocktail miraculously appeared in my hand as I was surrounded by lots of smiling faces. From that minute on, I knew I had arrived somewhere quite special.
I was quickly whisked off to my cottage to settle in. There are just twenty two cottages secreted around the 115 acre island, which shows you how private it is. Some (as mine was) are set high up on a bluff. Others are beachside. Each one is huge. Interiors are fresh and bright with lots of rattan and seaside hues. I loved my cottage with its wide open views of the ocean from every angle, private veranda, sea breeze and the sounds of the crashing waves from the Atlantic, which borders one side of the island, whilst the calm crystalline Caribbean borders the other.
For those cottages that don’t have direct beach access, there are plenty of private nooks and crannies along the west coast of the island, all set up with a hammock strung between palm trees, sun loungers, a cool box and of course a flag pole for anything else you may require - lunch, nibbles, a nice glass of chilled rosé, you name it.
Staying on PSV is all about switching off and settling into a slower pace. Enjoying the company of the people you are with and the beauty of where you are. There are no televisions in the cottages and Wi-Fi is only available in a spot near the main office. For some this may be hell (and then PSV is probably not for you). But for me it was heaven and so refreshing not to wake up and immediately reach for my phone to check emails. I very quickly got in to the groove of island life.
The vibe on the island is laid back luxury. If you want to put on your pretty summer frock and glitzy sandals then go for it. If you want to just saunter around barefoot all day, every day, then that’s fine too. Whilst shorts in the evening for men are perfectly acceptable. The lovely staff (most have worked on the island for many years) are super friendly and will call you by your name, wave to you as you pass, or answer your needs when your flag is hoisted. Unless of course it’s red, meaning “do not disturb”.
There are lots of activities on land and sea to keep you entertained, but things are not high tech and reflect the simple nature of the island. The gym comes in the form of an open air jungle one, albeit circling the island on a run I clocked up 6km, including some steep inclines as I tackled Marni Hill.
There are tennis courts and non-motorised water sports including paddle boarding and kayaking, whilst kite surfing is available over on nearby Union Island. For those who love sailing, going out in one of the island’s boats (motor or sail) to Tobago Cays where you can swim with the turtles is a must. I took advantage of the Jean-Michel Cousteau Dive Centre and went out to discover some of the most pristine reefs and marine life I have ever seen, which were completely devoid of any other human beings.
I realise that when most people think of private island paradises they automatically think of the Maldives. But they are certainly missing a trick when PSV is an option; a private island retreat with a cool and very addictive Caribbean vibe.
So, if you are looking to escape the crowds and truly get away from it all in a place with perfect beaches, wonderful staff and excellent food, where the vibe is barefoot, laid back as opposed to ritzy, glitzy, then please do get in touch and I can tell you more about why I love PSV.
{Photographs: My own with a few supplied by PSV}